About Us

Every plate served, cocktail poured and smile shared tells a story of passion, creativity and care. The Lewisham Awards celebrate the people behind these moments: the chefs, bartenders, restaurateurs, producers, front of house teams and hospitality professionals who help shape Auckland’s vibrant dining culture.

Established in 2002 and now in its 24th year, The Lewisham Awards are Auckland’s premier hospitality awards programme, named in honour of Richard Lewisham, a pioneer of the city’s hospitality scene. Over more than two decades, the Awards have become one of the industry’s most respected platforms for recognising excellence, innovation and leadership across Tāmaki Makaurau hospitality.

Created by hospitality, for hospitality, The Lewisham Awards are uniquely industry-led. Finalists are nominated by their peers and announced publicly before the hospitality industry takes part in a new round of voting to determine the winner of each category. The award recipients are revealed each year at The Lewisham Awards, the ultimate celebration of Auckland hospitality.

The Lewisham Awards celebrate the breadth and diversity of Auckland hospitality across 19 categories. These categories recognise excellence in areas including chef, bartender, front of house, emerging talent, cocktail, wine and beer experience, innovation and sustainability, café, hospitality hero, local establishments, producers, distributors and new establishments.

More than just an awards ceremony, The Lewisham Awards are a celebration of the hospitality community itself. The annual Awards event brings together industry leaders, emerging talent and passionate supporters for a lively evening that reflects the spirit of Auckland hospitality – energetic,  welcoming, creative and deeply connected. It is a night dedicated to recognising the people and businesses who continue to raise the bar and help make Auckland one of the world’s great food and beverage destinations.